[ Academia ] [ Litigation ] [ Regulatory & Policy ] as a Related Elective for those interested in Non Profits : As many lawyers practice public interest law through or with nonprofit organizations, it's important for students interested in this area to have a solid understanding of how such organizations work. This course considers the current focus on social entrepreneurship, including innovative public/private sector partnerships.

General course
Description:

Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship examines the challenges of starting, counseling and funding an early stage social venture through the eyes of the entrepreneur, investor, attorney and community leader. It explores the intricacies of managing and sustaining growth, the changing role of corporate governance, and leveraging private sector partnerships and resources. It also explores innovative public / private sector partnerships and the challenges and opportunities of engaging diverse partners with differing agendas. The course includes guest speakers from the fields of law and business assisting organizations as well the practitioners who run them. Throughout, students explore the valuable roles that attorneys can and have played in such ventures. Student teams partner with local area law firms and/or social enterpreneurs to solve legal challenges that are facing some of Silicon Valley's leading non-profits. Teams attempt to create solutions that are practical in application and ultimately enhance programmatic efficiency without inhibiting the organization's growth and flexibility.

Course Style: An Experiential course is one in which students undertake tasks derived from or akin to those done by practicing lawyers.